Beresfield has been named as one of the Hunter’s four worst stations for crime across the state – and is on the opposition’s list as a possible target under the government’s review of RailCorp.

Opposition transport spokeswoman Penny Sharpe was in the region on Thursday to visit Waratah station, which Bureau of Crime Statistics and Research data found that on a typical weekday had the highest rate of recorded crime on the state’s rail network.

She used the visit to launch a petition against staff cuts, which she encouraged Maitland commuters to sign and return to her office to be presented to the government.

The petition is available by contacting Ms Sharpe’s office

on 9230 2741 or at www.pennysharpe.com

“The O’Farrell government’s cost-cutting review of RailCorp is threatening to remove staff from stations already struggling to deal with rising crime,” Ms Sharpe said.

“This is just not good enough; the O’Farrell government should be directing resources to these stations, not stripping staff – the best deterrent against crime – away.”

Ms Sharpe said she also witnessed the importance of customer service at railway stations.

“Just [on Thursday] at Waratah station, I saw staff helping people get on and off the train, I saw staff helping tourists and someone helping a man who couldn’t read very well to buy a ticket,” she said.

“All of those things matter.”

Transport Minister Gladys Berejiklian said Labor was a “train wreck” when it came to RailCorp, and she made no apologies for her determination to reform the organisation, which was costing $10 million a day.

“I am open and upfront about the size and task we face in reforming RailCorp,” she said.

“As I have said, I am not ruling anything in or out. We are at the start of an intensive process, which will give us a more efficient railway with better and more frequent services.”